CHELSEA have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Leeds winger Raphinha, as he has reportedly told his agent Deco to try and chase a deal with Barcelona instead.
The battle for Raphinha is far from over as Barcelona are said to have put in a staggering £60 million bid.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are in need of some defensive reinforcements with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing from Stamford Bridge.
And the Blues are reportedly interested in Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt but the Old Lady have demanded for Timo Werner in return.
But reports suggest that Chelsea are also chasing Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.
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- OUT: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Danny Drinkwater (released), Charly Musonda (released), Jake Clarke-Salter (released), Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough, loan), Sam McClelland (Barrow, loan)
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Raphinha blocks Chelsea
Leeds star Raphinha has asked his agent Deco to block any further advances from Chelsea.
According to Sport, the Brazil international is not keen on moving to the Blues and is prepared to wait for Barca to come calling.
The winger has reportedly asked Deco to “stop’ negotiations with Chelsea in order to ‘prioritise” a move to the Nou Camp.
Stamford Bridge chiefs have been left flummoxed by the 25-year-old’s stance against joining them as they did not expect him to refuse a move to west London
Ronaldo’s next destinations
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly not be short of suitors if he leaves in the summer.
According to The Times, Bayern Munich and Premier League rivals Chelsea could try and take him if he departs from Old Trafford.
New Blues owner Todd Boehly met the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s agents Gestifute last month.
Bayern, on the other hand, would first like to wait and see what transpires with their own wantaway superstar Robert Lewandowski, as they have already signed Sadio Mane from Liverpool.
A return to the Serie A, where he enjoying a successful stint with Juventus, is also a possibility
More reasons to go
Manchester United superstar and Chelsea target Cristiano Ronaldo has informed the club he would like to leave if a suitable offer arrives.
According to The Times, it’s not just professional reasons, like playing in the Champions League, that led Ronaldo that decision.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also stated there are personal reasons behind this.
That is because the forward’s young family has been dealing with a difficult period
More on Ronaldo
Manchester United superstar and Chelsea target Cristiano Ronaldo believes he has “three or four years” left at the highest level and would like to spend them at a Champions League club.
That is according to The Times, who claim Ronaldo no longer views his future at United following last season’s state of disrepair.
And according to his close friends, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s affection and respect for the Red Devils fans remains as strong as ever.
The forward has been part of 19 consecutive Champions League seasons since leaving Sporting Lisbon for English football in the summer of 2003
Ronaldo wants out
Manchester United superstar and reported Chelsea target Cristiano Ronaldo has asked to leave the club if a suitable offer arrives in the summer.
That is according to The Times, who claim Ronaldo wants out of United because he wants to play in the Champions League.
The Red Devils missed out on Europe’s top competition after finishing sixth and will instead be in the Europa League.
That poses as a hammer blow for new boss Erik ten Hag, who is looking to turn things around at Old Trafford
Sterling sensible for Tuchel
There is no doubt that Sterling is an upgrade for Chelsea.
Pulisic is good, but Sterling is better and if Chelsea want to challenge for the title then they need players that are better.
Does him leaving weaken Man City? Not so much.
But does Sterling arriving at the Bridge potentially move Chelsea nearer Liverpool and the champions and further away from United, Arsenal and Spurs? 100 per cent.
It’ll be expensive but it’s also very, very sensible – a bit like sending Lukaku back to Inter.
Sterling move to be resolved ‘in the coming days’
According to the Daily Mail, a deal is set to be struck “in the coming days” which will see Sterling make the switch to Chelsea.
The England international, 27, looks on course to pen a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
He has spoken with Blues chief Thomas Tuchel – and those conversations have only added to Sterling’s desire to leave City for West London.
Chelsea missed out on Richarlison
Chelsea missed out on Tottenham new-boy Richarlison despite making a last-ditch bid.
Prior to his move to Spurs, the Brazilian was among the Blues’ shortlist of potential Romelu Lukaku replacements.
When Tottenham accelerated their interest this week, Chelsea made an attempt to gazump them.
According to the Metro, the West Londoners’ surge in interest prompted Spurs to up their bid.
The Lilywhites offered Everton £50million plus £10m in add-ons, with Blues owner Todd Boehly unwilling to match.
Highest-paid player at every Premier League club
Mohamed Salah’s new contract at Liverpool has doubled his wages, making him one of the highest earning Premier League players.
The new deal, which was announced on Friday, ended months of speculation regarding the forward’s future, with his previous deal due to expire in the summer of 2023.
His new £400,000 deal makes him the Premier League’s joint-second highest paid player.
How do you feel about your club’s highest paid player?
N’Golo Kante is on £290k-a-week. Worth every penny I reckon…
Sterling would create chances for Havertz
While Sterling is a threat in terms of his dribbling and shooting in the final third he is also capable of creating chances for teammates.
Given the danger that he poses to the opposition team when he is in possession of the ball, we tend to see Sterling attract opposition defenders towards him.
This, in turn, creates space that teammates can take advantage of in the final third or penalty area.
Sterling has perfected the art of driving to the touchline inside the area and cutting the ball back across goal for a tap in.
This has been a strong source of goals in recent years for City and with Sterling looking like he will move to Chelsea, the same positioning in the channels could well bring the same rewards.
We are likely to see the talented Havertz, in particular, get plenty of chances created from the movement, positioning and creativity that Sterling will bring to the side.
He has developed over his time at Man City into a more complete forward who is capable of creating and scoring equally.
Raheem the dream for Chelsea
When Sterling made his move from Liverpool to Manchester City in 2015 he was considered a strong ball carrier who was direct in his approach but who lacked a genuine and consistent goal threat.
Fast forward seven years and we see a much more complete attacking player who has provided a consistent goal threat at club and international level.
Sterling tends to play either from the left side of the attack or through the middle now.
But it is likely that Chelsea would be looking for him to play on the left with Kai Havertz established now as their first-choice central striker.
Sterling has hugely improved his decision-making over the course of his time being coached by Pep Guardiola and he is now a real threat in the attacking third.
Positionally, Sterling tends to prefer to pick the ball up in the channels from where he can look to take the ball in a variety of directions.
When isolated against a defender Sterling is a threat to attack on the inside or the outside.
Sterling an upgrade for Blues
Sterling would be an upgrade for Chelsea in the forward positions.
Towards the end of last season, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel used the American international Christian Pulisic on the left side of the attack.
While Pulisic is a talented winger, Sterling is a more well-rounded and decisive attacking player.
Chelsea keen on Sterling and City team-mates
SunSport analysed why Sterling’s good goalscoring record, his creativity for the likes of Kai Havertz and his ability to be fluid in the attacking system would make him the ideal signing for Chelsea.
The Daily Mail report adds Chelsea are also keen on Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko from the Etihad.
The pair would provide reinforcements at the back after some high-profile departures this summer.
Left-footed Ake was on the books with Chelsea for six years but joined Bournemouth in 2017 after a successful loan.
However, it is unlikely Pep Guardiola and his City chiefs would allow a rival club to sign three of their players in the same transfer window.
Chelsea ‘closing in’ on Sterling
Chelsea are closing in on the £45million transfer of Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling, according to reports.
It is understood the two clubs remain in negotiations and talks have accelerated this week.
Tuchel targeting Kimbempe
Chelsea are reportedly targeting Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.
The Blues were considering a move for £34million-rated Kimpembe, 26, in both the past two transfer windows.
And Goal reports that “interest from Chelsea still exists” over Kimpembe.
It seems they are keen again after having a pair of centre-backs exit Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel has lost Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and released Andreas Christensen, who is on the verge of joining Barcelona.
Tuchel managed Kimpembe during his time as PSG boss so he will trust the star to step in.
Chelsea told to forget Raphinha and Dembele
Chelsea should drop their transfer interest in both Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele, according to club legend Frank Lebeouf.
Lebeouf has concerns about the consistency of the pair who have been strongly liked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
When asked who he prefers out of the two, Lebeouf told ESPN: “Can I say none? Is that possible for me?
“I’ve expressed myself about Ousmane Dembele and the lack of consistency that he showed playing for Barcelona.
“It’s impossible to say what will happen with Dembele and [maybe] once he will have a normal full-time season with Barcelona or any other club.
“On Raphinha, I saw him playing for Rennes, I saw him playing for Leeds with a little bit more consistency.
“He’s a pure talent, he’s somebody I have doubts about, still the same question marks that I have for Dembele. The consistency of performances.”
Barcelona lead the race for Raphinha
Barcelona now “lead the race” for Raphinha after agreeing a £50million deal which will see the Brazilian winger earn £100-a-week.
That’s according to LeedsLive, who claim the Spanish club have reportedly agreed a deal with Leeds that “matches the amount” of Chelsea’s offer.
Blues favourites for De Ligt
Chelsea have emerged as the odds on favourites to sign the Juventus centre back Matthijs de Ligt.
The Netherlands international has been linked with a move away from Italy and Sky Bet are pricing a move to Stamford Bridge at 8/11.
Chelsea are desperate to sign a central defender or two this summer following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Erik ten Hag was the Ajax manager when de Ligt helped the Dutch side to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and made the defender the club’s youngest ever captain at 18 years old.
Naturally, there have been rumours of ten Hag and de Ligt linking up again, with Sky Bet pricing the move at 8/1.
Chelsea missed out on Richarlison
Chelsea missed out on Tottenham new-boy Richarlison despite making a last-ditch bid.
Prior to his move to Spurs, the Brazilian was among the Blues’ shortlist of potential Romelu Lukaku replacements.
When Tottenham accelerated their interest this week, Chelsea made an attempt to gazump them.
According to the Metro, the West Londoners’ surge in interest prompted Spurs to up their bid.
The Lilywhites offered Everton £50million plus £10m in add-ons, with Blues owner Todd Boehly unwilling to match.
Eyeing up Frenkie
Chelsea are watching transfer developments with Frenkie de Jong.
Manchester United are still favourites to sign the Barcelona midfielder but he has admirers at Stamford Bridge, according to The Guardian.
Meanwhile, deals for Nathan Ake and Raheem Sterling said to be “progressing” for the Blues.
Sterling move to be resolved ‘in the coming days’
According to the Daily Mail, a deal is set to be struck “in the coming days” which will see Sterling make the switch to West London.
The England international, 27, looks on course to pen a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
He has spoken with Blues chief Thomas Tuchel – and those conversations have only added to Sterling’s desire to leave City for Chelsea.
Chelsea ‘closing in’ on Sterling
Chelsea are closing in on the £45million transfer of Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling, according to reports.
It is understood the two clubs remain in negotiations and talks have accelerated this week.
Good morning Chelsea fans
Thomas Tuchel missed out on Tottenham new-boy Richarlison despite making a last-ditch bid.
Prior to his move to Spurs the Brazilian was among the Blues’ shortlist of potential Romelu Lukaku replacements.
When Tottenham accelerated their interest this week, Chelsea made an attempt to gazump them.
According to the Metro, the West Londoners’ surge in interest prompted Spurs to up their bid.
The Lilywhites offered Everton £50million plus £10m in add-ons, with Blues owner Todd Boehly unwilling to match.
Earlier in the week, Chelsea thought they’d beaten Arsenal to the signing of Leeds ace Raphinha.
Richarlison’s Brazil team-mate, however, is still holding out for a move to cash-strapped Barcelona.
Chelsea will now turn their attentions fully towards Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling.
The England star has one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad, with Blues chiefs believing that he is attainable this summer.
Chelsea told to forget duo
Chelsea should drop their transfer interest in both Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele, according to club legend Frank Lebeouf.
Lebeouf has concerns about the consistency of the pair who have been strongly liked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
When asked who he prefers out of the two, Lebeouf told ESPN: “Can I say none? Is that possible for me?
“I’ve expressed myself about Ousmane Dembele and the lack of consistency that he showed playing for Barcelona.
“It’s impossible to say what will happen with Dembele and [maybe] once he will have a normal full-time season with Barcelona or any other club.
“On Raphinha, I saw him playing for Rennes, I saw him playing for Leeds with a little bit more consistency.
“He’s a pure talent, he’s somebody I have doubts about, still the same question marks that I have for Dembele. The consistency of performances.”
Nou development
Barcelona are odds-on favourites to sign Leeds winger Raphinha.
That’s according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who’ve priced the Spanish heavyweights at 1/2 to clinch the Brazilian’s signature.
Chelsea looked certain to secure his services having agreed a £55m deal plus add-ons with Leeds.
But he’s now drifted out to 13/8 to arrive at Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.
A stay at Leeds is available at 18/1, with Arsenal and Newcastle offered at 20/1 and 25/1 respectively.
Manchester United are major outsiders, coming in at 40/1.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
